Arsenal have received an explanation for the controversial decision not to award Liverpool a penalty after Jurrien Timber pulled Alexander Isak's shirt during Sunday's Premier League clash at Anfield.

According to a report by Football London on Monday, 2 November 2026, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes VAR officials faced a difficult decision over the incident, admitting that intervening could have resulted in accusations of "re-refereeing" the match.

Mikel Arteta's side secured a 1-0 victory through Kai Havertz's 16th-minute goal, but the result was overshadowed by Liverpool's penalty appeal after Isak was prevented from reaching a cross inside the Arsenal penalty area.

Referee Andy Madley allowed play to continue, while VAR official Stuart Attwell decided there was insufficient justification to overturn the original decision.

Gallagher explained that different camera angles made the incident more difficult to assess, although he acknowledged that Timber had taken a significant risk.

"It depends which angle you watch it from. The first angle, you see nothing. That is the referee's angle," he said.

"The second angle, which is what VAR looks at, and it is a lot more damning."

He added: "VAR would be accused of re-refereeing if it is a penalty. It is a case of damned if they do and damned if they don't."

However, Gallagher admitted that Timber was fortunate to escape punishment, saying: "The more I watch it, the more I think he [Timber] has taken a big chance and has got lucky."

Several football pundits disagreed with the decision, including former Arsenal forward Ian Wright, who felt Isak should not have needed to go to ground to convince the officials.

"It's obvious he's pulled is shirt. Why does he need to dive? He shouldn't have to make more of it," Wright said.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher also criticised the decision, arguing that the shirt pull prevented one of the league's leading goalscorers from reaching the ball.

Tim Sherwood similarly insisted that VAR should have recommended an on-field review.

Meanwhile, Gallagher dismissed Liverpool's separate penalty appeal involving Cody Gakpo and Christos Tzolis, explaining that the ball had travelled too far for the forward to reach it.

The controversy has continued to generate debate over VAR consistency, with Arsenal retaining their victory and moving to the top of the Premier League table.